The inside story of Ruben Amorim's big interview

I had the privilege of conducting his first interview as Manchester United’s new head coach. It’s the kind of opportunity you dream about as a fan.

I shadowed Ruben’s Old Trafford tour the previous day and saw the little moments that, in my head at least, paint a picture of a personable and charismatic coach. But there are some other moments that I really pinch myself after witnessing. 

For example, when United’s new head coach — whose face will be known across every country in the world over these next days and weeks — takes a moment himself to appreciate how far he’s come and the responsibility he now has.

Take the press conference room. “This is funny, I’ve watched this room so many times [on TV],” he said. And then took a breath and looked around.

There are a lot of duties for United players and staff. Being at the helm of one of the world’s biggest football clubs naturally brings with it a list of obligations longer than elsewhere. To use Ruben’s own analogy, the football team is the engine of a wider club: United. And United is the engine of the Premier League. What he didn’t say, but is true, is that he is both the engineer and driver of this vehicle.

And so, especially on days like these, when someone is a new arrival to the club, there is a lot to do – photographs to take, people to meet, hands to shake, and much more. There isn’t a great deal of time to pause, to think, and to reflect. 

To see one of those moments duly felt like a privilege. This is a 39-year-old who has already achieved a great deal but knows now that he has the opportunity to make history at one of the world’s most storied sporting institutions.

It was this experience shadowing Ruben’s Old Trafford tour that meant I was confident going into the interview on Thursday. I had heard the little quips to staff and fans. I knew we could expect some memorable lines. And he delivered plenty. Take your pick when you watch.

But I am a fan, and I wanted to know what every fan wants to know. What is this guy like, what is his vision for our club, and what kind of team can we expect to see with him in charge. I told Ruben this when we were introduced a few minutes before the interview. 

I think those moments before the formal conversation are the most important, and the most enjoyable. Getting that time to build something of a connection with United’s new head coach is a buzz I’ll never stop appreciating. I tried to introduce myself in Portuguese — I’d been practising on the way to work! — and then, once we’d established I don’t speak the language beyond those few words, showed him where I stand, in the Stretford End, and explain who I go to matches with: my brother and my mates. 

When United staff or players speak to club media, they should know they are speaking directly to fans all over the world, including both those who dedicate hours travelling home and away and those who support avidly overseas. He appreciated that instantly and recognised the opportunity to connect with supporters.

Then it was time to get the cinematic shots, the ones that make those dramatic, exciting teaser videos that you’ll see on the United App and social timelines. Ruben walked out of the Director’s Box — which overlooks the halfway line from the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand — and gazed around the Theatre of Dreams. 

It was a little before 5pm in the UK. The sun had set to a dark blue sky, yet to transition fully to black. The stadium — which buzzes constantly during the day with tours, staff and maintenance work — had descended into a peaceful hush. I remember Marcus Rashford once saying that Old Trafford has its own sound, even when its empty. It seems ridiculous, but it’s so true. And it has an aura, too.

Ruben looked around and then headed pitchside, where, in a fortnight’s time, he’ll look out during his first home match as United head coach, against Bodo-Glimt in the UEFA Europa League. He had been on the same spot the day before but, really, it doesn’t matter how many times you stand there. The view is still special. 

In that spot at Old Trafford, you look up and see the three tiers of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand. It looms above you. When it’s empty, it’s impossible to imagine how many people occupy it on a matchday. You just sense its size. It’s a view reserved for that spot and that spot only, so it’s special. And Ruben said as much.

“You watch on TV and you know that it is big and it’s impressive,” he said. “When you are here, you can feel it. And I think you feel the history.”

You can. I really think you can feel the weight of that history. And I said that to Ruben, intending to say it can ‘lift you up’. Before I could even say so, he’d got the same message across.

“That’s really funny because I feel very relaxed. I really don’t feel the weight. I’m really excited and I’m quite relaxed. I think I am where I am supposed to be.”

The formal interview soon began and as it progressed, I grew to agree. This is where Ruben Amorim is supposed to be.

He was honest and passionate. You can see for yourselves in the interview and what’s still to come. The talk has been all about formations but this is a coach who wants to reignite the United identity which has inspired success across the generations. That’s not limited to or solely constructed around a 3-4-3. In his words, it’s about an “idea” that we will see as fans from his United team, which enjoys itself but wins.

I can’t wait to see him stride out at Old Trafford against Bodo-Glimt, hopefully with a good result at Ipswich in the bag. “Don’t call me names, Harry!” he said before he left for the day, pointing at where I stand in the Stretford End. There’s no chance of that, I assured him. A hug, a handshake and a smile, and off he went, ready to focus on the football and impart his vision onto our club.

Let the Ruben Amorim era begin.